A/N: Looks like pretty much everyone wanted to see Ryou and Bakura, so
here it is! Sorry for the slowest update ever, but my muses switched to
drawing on me. I'm gonna make my own site when I get enough of 'em done,
then you can go see all my pretty fanart!
Ashley: I most certainly have not! *crosses arms* ...well...not the present- day one anyway. *coughcough* And yes, there shall be a squeaky bed in a couple chapters!
LegacyRBluesummers: ^^ Yes, yes I am.
megaotaku: I know, I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. I'll try not to do that anymore!
Koishii No Tenshi: Yeah Yugi. *glares* Heheh. He is pretty cute, neh?
kk: *smile* *nudge* But ya like the Jou/Kaiba chappies, right?
Rowan Girl: I'm glad you read it here, and thanks!
Kitty Neko: It's done!
me: Alright, alright, here it is!
Enjoy!
~*~*~*~*~*A Thief in the Night*~*~*~*~*~
No. Ryou hadn't gone home.
Ryou hadn't gone back to that dismal little house to be assaulted by his parents' questioning. He didn't need their crap right now. He just wanted to find that other white-haired boy and...well, he didn't really know. But the desire to make contact with him again was so strong...stronger than anything he had felt in a long time.
He couldn't deny the look of insatiable hunger he had in his eyes, or how his stomach churned when he moved atop him, touching bare skin with thirsty fingers, bringing warmth to his exposed flesh...
He groans, realizing how afraid he had been at the time. His face must have been pathetic. And now the only thing he could think about was seeing him again.
He slaps himself. It didn't matter why! It was just...the obligation was...
He sighs and excels his legs into a jog. Little did he know...
:::::::MEANWHILE:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::
Heh. Little did he know Bakura wasn't thinking of him at all.
The fiery-eyed teen cracks his knuckles. 'Hn. Reminds me of how I used to break people's necks back home.' His lips twitch at an oncoming smile. 'I know what I need.' He halts just outside the jewelry store, peering in through its darkened windows. 'I see no guards...'
He gives a quick inspection of his surroundings to make sure he wouldn't get ambushed by any pesky city officials. Not that he couldn't defend himself, but they got boring after a while. Plus he didn't want to attract too much attention to himself. Spilling blood all over the street wasn't the best way at keeping a low profile.
He tries the handle. Locked. 'Bloody hell.' He ignores the obviously Ryou- influenced phrase and kicks the glass in. 'Oo, big noise.' He lets out a low whistle before glancing over his shoulder again. Still no guards. '...better safe than sorry.' He pockets two stones he'd been eyeing on the sidewalk before ducking under the metal bar left by the door and into the building.
The room was dark. Very, very dark. But, nothing he couldn't handle. 'Let's see...' He quickly scans the area to his immediate right. 'Ah, that looks promising.' He strolls over to the largest object in sight, presumably what held the most valued object, and raises his fist, bobbing his head to some foreign tune. "Let's see if I've lost my touch." He brings his knuckles down hard, somehow managing to avoid cutting himself on any of the crystalline shards. "Nope."
He runs an experienced hand along the inside of the smashed counter, grabbing anything that feels pricey enough. The more questionable ones are bitten to test their authenticity, while anything that resembles a necklace is automatically kept. He loved those things. And now, hardly a minute later, he feels quite satisfied with his work. 'No guards in sight.' Maybe people in this time are just really lazy. '...fine with me.' Unbeknownst to him, a silent alarm had gone off the second he touched the front door, and a squad of policemen were making their way over there from a nearby station.
...scratch that; they've surrounded the building. Run Bakura, ruuuuuuun!!!
He walks towards the exit at a leisurely pace, playing with a particularly fine piece of work. Ruby he guessed. Mmm, ruby. Red like blood.
He grins.
*scuffle scuffle*
"Hm?"
"Hold it right there!" An armed officer runs in through the entrance.
Bakura quirks an eyebrow at the device he holds. The man seemed to believe it gave him some kind of authority. He scoffs. "Is that supposed to frighten me?"
Several more policemen join in with their weapons. "Don't move!"
He counts four of them. "What a pity." He reaches into his pocket for the rocks. Sure they seemed small and pretty damn harmless, but Bakura had a hell of an arm. 'Better run,' he sneers.
"Eek!"
A gun goes off. Something hits the floor.
"Shit!" The oldest one screams. "What'd you do that for!?"
"H-he was gonna shoot us!" The rookie throws his weapon like it bit him. "I didn't mean to, I swear!"
"You idiot!"
*slap*
"It was an accident!" He yanks at his hair. "Stupid, stupid, stupid!"
Bakura ignores them. He ignores everything. It felt like he was underwater. 'What...' Hot blood pours through the fingers at his stomach. He gnashes his teeth together. Oh God. What was this indescribable pain? What did they do? The strength in his legs gives out and he falls from his kneeling position onto his side. 'Make it stop. Make it...ugh...'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ryou heard it. "Oh no." Ryou heard it and Ryou frikkin ran. "This can't be happening." He flies down the block, heart racing like it's about to explode. 'Don't do this to me...don't let it be...' He skids to a halt behind the four officers, who were currently in a state of panic. He peeks around them. There was a body on the floor...and something on it was white...
'No!' Ryou shoves past them. "Move it!" He runs to the familiar stranger, tears starting to form in his chocolate eyes. "What did you do to him!?" He screams.
"He was gonna shoot!"
"With what?!" He whips around. "He's unarmed you DOLT!"
"He r-r-reached into his p-pockets..."
"Is that your excuse!?" He snatches the rocks from his coat and holds them up. "You mean these?!"
"B-but--"
"Like these can really do any damage!!" He throws them at the sputtering cop to make his point.
"Ow..."
He pulls the thief into his lap. There was a lot of blood. "Are you...are you o..oka..." He chokes on the word. How could they do this? "Say something, please..." He tilts his head back and represses a small gasp. He was bleeding from the mouth. "Oh God..."
Tears fall from his fair face, mixing with the ones already streaming down Bakura's. His snowy hair sticks to his cheeks, giving him the appearance of somebody who's been in the rain. "Don't..." He draws in a shuddering breath. "Please don't die..."
The injured teen cracks open his eyes. Why was his other half here? It wasn't safe. 'Get out...' Even the voice in his head was weak. "...H...hikari..." He rasps through bloodied teeth.
"What?" he breathes. There it was again. Light...what did he mean?
His eyes close again, his breathing becoming shallow. "H...h...ngh.."
"No!" He clutches onto him, crying hard. "DAMNIT!" He turns his head towards the shocked policeman. "What are you waiting for?!" They blink. "CALL THE FUCKING AMBULANCE!!"
"Y-yeah!" The near-retiring officer slaps his partner upside the head. "Call 'em!"
"W-w-w-what was the number again?" He shakily retrieves his walky-talky.
"WHAT?!"
"Wait, I got it!" He punches in the three life-saving numbers. "Yes, this is Officer Pete Burnings, we've had an accident..."
The other cops smack their foreheads.
"...yes, right away, we're at the old jewelry store down Murve Street. Bullet in the stomach. ...we don't know."
Ryou faintly hears the information being spoken. "...in the stomach?" He sniffles and quickly takes off his school jacket. "Hey, you!" He yells over his shoulder. "Give me your flashlight!"
"W-what?"
"Do it!"
"Eep!" He tosses him the bulky device. "S-sorry..."
He frantically rips the already-torn cloth in two, shoving a piece in his mouth and putting the other half aside. He lifts the boy's shirt over his head, grimacing at all the red. "It has to come out." He clenches his teeth and narrows his eyes. "I can't believe I'm doing this..." Without so much as a warning, he thrusts his fingers into the open wound.
Bakura's eyes and mouth fly open, but his throat's too hoarse to scream. "Hugh...uhg..." His breath comes in short, painful gasps as the fingers delve deeper and he breaks into a fresh set of tears. "Sss-ss-stt--sto..." His eyes squeeze shut again. This was worse than anything he could remember.
"I'm sorry," Ryou's tears continue to fall. "Hold on..." He stops moving his fingers, pinches something between them, and carefully removes his hand from his stomach. "There!" He throws the bullet behind is back without a second thought and grabs the discarded shirt. "I've got to stop the bleeding." He shakes Bakura by the shoulder. "Wake up, you've got to wake up!"
His eyes slide open.
"Can you move?" He bundles up the cloth and holds it at the wound, pushing it just a little on the inside. "Hold this."
Bakura lets out a strange sob and presses the garment to his stomach.
"Okay..." He wipes his face with a dirty sleeve, smearing blood over his nose. "Here." He pulls him into a semi-sitting position and wraps the remaining material around his middle to cut off the circulation. Bakura's muscles begin to quiver and he shakes uncontrollably. "Stay with me, please..." He cradles him in his arms and wipes the sweaty hair out of his face, trying to calm the spasm. "Please..."
The cops stand nearby, shocked and horrified. Ambulance sirens blare down the street.
"I didn't mean to do it..."
A team of rescuers hop out of the vehicle and rush in with their equipment. Ryou looks up as they hurriedly steal his body and place him on the stretcher. Commands are shouted and they take him back to the van, putting him on oxygen and some pain-killing drugs.
Ryou runs after them, tearfully asking if he can ride with him.
"Do you know this kid?"
He nods, quickly making up a story. "He's an exch-change student. I don't know where his ID is. Please let me come..."
They give him a quick nod in return and help him into the back.
Bakura lies in the middle, groaning fitfully. "Is he gonna be alright?"
"We can't be sure as of yet. It all depends on him once we get to the hospital."
He runs a shaking hand through his damp hair. "W-what do you think?"
"It's hard to say, but...did you do that?"
"Mm-hm."
"You really should leave that stuff to the doctors."
"I didn't make it worse, d-did I?"
He chuckles softly. "As long as the bullet's still not in there, he's better off than he would've been."
He gives a heavy sigh of relief. "Good then..."
They reach the hospital shortly, giving him a thumbs-up and sending the wounded boy inside. Ryou follows after them, only to be taken quite forcibly into a bathroom to wash up and then into a waiting room, wrapped in a small blanket. "Stay here until they're done," the nurse orders him.
He does as told, watching the clock intently. He just wanted to go over there and spin the hands around...which way, he didn't know. Backwards, he could've tried to stop him from running off. Forwards, he wouldn't have to endure the torture of wondering if he was alive or dead. He pulls the blanket around him tighter and squeezes his eyes shut. The anticipation was killing him.
A little while later, another nurse came and woke him. He had fallen asleep with his head in his hands. The tears had dried, but his eyes never ceased watering. "How long was I out?"
She smiles. "Only an hour or two. Thought you could use the rest."
He blinks a few times before standing up. "How is he?"
"The bullet didn't hit any organs, and thanks to you, he's hasn't got any serious lead poisoning." She winks at him. "Nice job."
He blushes slightly. "Oh. He was bleeding from the mouth, so I just..."
"What, that little thing?" She laughs lightly. "He just bit his tongue. Canines are pretty sharp, too. It's not everyday you get shot." She points over to an intensive-care room. "He's sleeping right now, but you can go see him if you want."
He nods, feeling numb despite the good news. Not to mention a little embarrassed. He freaked out over a little thing like that? 'How was I supposed to know? He looked like he was in a lot of pain...' He slaps himself again. 'Lung, Ryou. Not stomach. And I guess I'd act like that too if I was shot.'
He hesitates at the door. What if he woke up? What would he say? He opens it with a sigh. Did it really matter?
Bakura was in bed, still asleep. The white blankets matched his hair, bringing the word 'winter' to mind. Like a child in the snow. Shining innocence.
Pure.
He brings a chair to the side of the bed and sits, looking at the neatly folded clothes and IV nearby. They were at the jewelry store, so he had probably stolen something. He checks the pockets. Empty.
Well good. Maybe they could strike up a deal; they wouldn't file charges against him for burglary and he wouldn't file charges against them for attempted murder. Fair enough, right? Besides, he didn't think he could handle any legal bullshit right now. And that's not including what his parents would think...
Tears threaten to spill over again. He just needed a little time to sort things out, that's all. He was tired, hungry, hurt, confused...he would deal with everything else later. He just needed time, just a little more time...
He sniffles and takes the resting boy's hand into his own. It was surprisingly warm. His were freezing in comparison. He cries silently, not wanting to wake him. Why was he still feeling this way? They said he was fine. But still...
Could it be guilt? No. He had felt guilty before. It was nothing like what he felt now. This was something deeper...something more...
Love.
'What?' He shakes his head at the thought. He had just met him. And how should he know what love feels like?
It's true. He clutches his head. 'Shut-up.' It couldn't be...love. Of any kind. It just wasn't possible. Yes, he did feel a strange sort of connection with him, but...
"This is stupid." He chokes. "Just...stop it. You're doing it again."
But it's not like last time, is it?
"...no. I guess not."
Of course it isn't. She was just a stupid girl you tutored. She didn't like you. You know she didn't. You thought she cared about you, but she didn't. You thought you were helping someone for once, that someone might actually need you, but you were sadly mistaken. No one needs you. Not that slut, not your friends, not even him. So don't trick yourself into believing you're in love. Not again.
"Shut-up..." he cries harder.
Don't push me away. And don't forget who needs who. You need me. Don't forget.
"Go away..." he lowers his head, trying to be quiet. "Why can't you just leave me alone?"
But you are alone.
He clenches his teeth together. 'I know...I'm all alone. No one needs me...and no one cares...' The tears stop coming. 'I really am worthless.' He shuts his eyes, slipping deeper and deeper into his depression.
"Let me die."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
He woke up sometime later. The ground was cold, the hospital room was gone, and he wasn't feeling much better. What now?
He stands up reluctantly and takes a few steps forward, squinting his eyes. Where was he? Not that he cared. Heh. Maybe he was dead. Finally.
'I'm not dead.' He argues with himself. 'How could I be dead?'
Lots of ways. You smothered yourself with the blankets, choked on some spit, had a stress-related heart attack, or, more importantly, were strangled to death by that nice fellow on the bed...
'I would have woke up.'
Maybe you did. But you're dead now, so it doesn't really matter.
"I'm not dead!"
Yes you aaarrreee...
"Shut the hell up!" He shouts into nothingness.
Have it your way then.
Everything becomes silent. He looks around, seeing no sign of...well, anything. He keeps walking. Maybe he'd find something...
"Blank...everything's blank...why is everything blank?"
'That's him.' He peers in the direction the voice came from. 'But where?' He follows the sound a little ways ahead. "...hm?"
There he was, sitting with his back against some undefined object, his arms resting on his knees, his head looking down.
"Hey." Ryou approaches on light feet. "Are you alright?"
A loud hissing noise comes from the dark figure, making him jump. His surroundings waver and translucent red hands reach for him before dissipating.
Ryou swallows a lump in his throat. That was...odd. "Hey," he drops to his knees in front of him. "You don't have to do that, ya know."
Bakura raises his head and glares. Him again? Had he come for revenge? Had he come to mock him in this weakened state?
"Bakura, isn't it?"
He loses the glare. It didn't surprise him he had figured it out, but the smile he wore was unnerving. "...yes."
He hadn't told him his name, but something just screamed it at him. Not that it mattered, but...
He abruptly pulls him into an embrace.
He doesn't need you Ryou!
He just smiles.
'What's he...what's he doing?'
"It's okay now..."
'Why is he doing that?' Bakura stays perfectly still, not accepting or rejecting the hug. 'Is he so naïve?'
Ryou subconsciously slides his hand under his shirt and rubs his back soothingly. "It's okay..." He stops. What was that he felt?
"Get off of me." Bakura quickly shoves him away, pressing himself further against the wall.
"Wait, what was that?"
"It's none of your concern."
He didn't want to push him, but... "...was it a scar?"
He wasn't going to tell him. He didn't want him tainted. He would stay as he saw fit.
So he just glared some more.
"...alright," Ryou sighs. "But...what happened? Earlier, I mean? Why did we...separate?"
He laughs darkly. "Is that all?"
"...yes."
He 'hms' contentedly before replying. "You got angry. The emotion severed me from you. Guess you didn't want me anymore." He waits for his face to change. Did he look...hopeful?
"But you got hurt afterwards."
Oh, that's what it was. "Don't act like I did it to...protect you." He nearly spat the word.
His face fell.
'Don't look so sad, Ryou. Were you expecting otherwise?' He asks himself.
"...come here." Bakura turns him around and pulls him to his chest in another awkward embrace. It wasn't out of affection, but he did feel the need to comfort his distressed mind. "Go to sleep."
Ryou grows a deep shade of crimson. "Okay."
Bakura sighs. "You're tense."
"S-sorry."
"I'm not going to hurt you."
Ryou was doubtful. Instinct told him he was in danger. And who said he wasn't lying? He remembered what had happened with the Ring. It still stung.
Bakura curses under his breath. He didn't want to say this... "Trust me."
Ryou smiles and snuggles back against him. "You too."
"Huh?"
He looks up cutely. "Go to sleep."
That was sounding good right about now. "I might." He wraps his arms around him so they meet on his stomach and lets his head fall onto his, too exhausted to object to his own actions.
Ryou blushes at all the contact. At least he was a little more relaxed now. He closes his eyes, listening to the older boy's breathing in his ears, and drifts off into a stress-free sleep. What a night.
At that moment, the nurse from earlier walks by their room and smiles. They were both asleep, holding hands. "So cute." She giggles to herself and continues making her rounds throughout the hospital, thinking about the two white-haired angels. "I love happy endings."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: Awww! *shrieks* They cuddled!
Bakura: You disgust me.
^^ Feel the love.
Bakura: You're delusional.
Ryou: *blushing like an idiot* Um...
Bakura: What?
Ryou: It's nothing...
Bakura: *rolls eyes*
Yay! In case you're confused, Ryou fell asleep in his room and they were touching and the Ring took him into 'Kura's soul room and when 'Kura saw him, his defenses went up, but Ryou's a persistent little shit and then there was FLUFF!!
Bakura: That was unintentional. I just wanted him to stop worrying. I can feel his anxiety and I don't particularly like it. You just...took it the wrong way.
*wink* Suuuure. Whatever you say.
Bakura: Someone shoot me.
Ah yes. Ryou got a little depressed because his conscious *cough* was being an asshole.
*snicker* Ryou said the F-word! *happy dance*
And Bakura cried! *snigger*
Bakura: I was SHOT you idiot!
So?
Bakura: ...I'm going to kill you.
^^ Haaa. It's all about the love.
Next chapter should be up fairly soon since I've got an idea of what's gonna happen. Yes, it switches back to Joey and Seto. Rejoice!
Remember to review or I'll cry! ;.;
Ashley: I most certainly have not! *crosses arms* ...well...not the present- day one anyway. *coughcough* And yes, there shall be a squeaky bed in a couple chapters!
LegacyRBluesummers: ^^ Yes, yes I am.
megaotaku: I know, I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. I'll try not to do that anymore!
Koishii No Tenshi: Yeah Yugi. *glares* Heheh. He is pretty cute, neh?
kk: *smile* *nudge* But ya like the Jou/Kaiba chappies, right?
Rowan Girl: I'm glad you read it here, and thanks!
Kitty Neko: It's done!
me: Alright, alright, here it is!
Enjoy!
~*~*~*~*~*A Thief in the Night*~*~*~*~*~
No. Ryou hadn't gone home.
Ryou hadn't gone back to that dismal little house to be assaulted by his parents' questioning. He didn't need their crap right now. He just wanted to find that other white-haired boy and...well, he didn't really know. But the desire to make contact with him again was so strong...stronger than anything he had felt in a long time.
He couldn't deny the look of insatiable hunger he had in his eyes, or how his stomach churned when he moved atop him, touching bare skin with thirsty fingers, bringing warmth to his exposed flesh...
He groans, realizing how afraid he had been at the time. His face must have been pathetic. And now the only thing he could think about was seeing him again.
He slaps himself. It didn't matter why! It was just...the obligation was...
He sighs and excels his legs into a jog. Little did he know...
:::::::MEANWHILE:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::
Heh. Little did he know Bakura wasn't thinking of him at all.
The fiery-eyed teen cracks his knuckles. 'Hn. Reminds me of how I used to break people's necks back home.' His lips twitch at an oncoming smile. 'I know what I need.' He halts just outside the jewelry store, peering in through its darkened windows. 'I see no guards...'
He gives a quick inspection of his surroundings to make sure he wouldn't get ambushed by any pesky city officials. Not that he couldn't defend himself, but they got boring after a while. Plus he didn't want to attract too much attention to himself. Spilling blood all over the street wasn't the best way at keeping a low profile.
He tries the handle. Locked. 'Bloody hell.' He ignores the obviously Ryou- influenced phrase and kicks the glass in. 'Oo, big noise.' He lets out a low whistle before glancing over his shoulder again. Still no guards. '...better safe than sorry.' He pockets two stones he'd been eyeing on the sidewalk before ducking under the metal bar left by the door and into the building.
The room was dark. Very, very dark. But, nothing he couldn't handle. 'Let's see...' He quickly scans the area to his immediate right. 'Ah, that looks promising.' He strolls over to the largest object in sight, presumably what held the most valued object, and raises his fist, bobbing his head to some foreign tune. "Let's see if I've lost my touch." He brings his knuckles down hard, somehow managing to avoid cutting himself on any of the crystalline shards. "Nope."
He runs an experienced hand along the inside of the smashed counter, grabbing anything that feels pricey enough. The more questionable ones are bitten to test their authenticity, while anything that resembles a necklace is automatically kept. He loved those things. And now, hardly a minute later, he feels quite satisfied with his work. 'No guards in sight.' Maybe people in this time are just really lazy. '...fine with me.' Unbeknownst to him, a silent alarm had gone off the second he touched the front door, and a squad of policemen were making their way over there from a nearby station.
...scratch that; they've surrounded the building. Run Bakura, ruuuuuuun!!!
He walks towards the exit at a leisurely pace, playing with a particularly fine piece of work. Ruby he guessed. Mmm, ruby. Red like blood.
He grins.
*scuffle scuffle*
"Hm?"
"Hold it right there!" An armed officer runs in through the entrance.
Bakura quirks an eyebrow at the device he holds. The man seemed to believe it gave him some kind of authority. He scoffs. "Is that supposed to frighten me?"
Several more policemen join in with their weapons. "Don't move!"
He counts four of them. "What a pity." He reaches into his pocket for the rocks. Sure they seemed small and pretty damn harmless, but Bakura had a hell of an arm. 'Better run,' he sneers.
"Eek!"
A gun goes off. Something hits the floor.
"Shit!" The oldest one screams. "What'd you do that for!?"
"H-he was gonna shoot us!" The rookie throws his weapon like it bit him. "I didn't mean to, I swear!"
"You idiot!"
*slap*
"It was an accident!" He yanks at his hair. "Stupid, stupid, stupid!"
Bakura ignores them. He ignores everything. It felt like he was underwater. 'What...' Hot blood pours through the fingers at his stomach. He gnashes his teeth together. Oh God. What was this indescribable pain? What did they do? The strength in his legs gives out and he falls from his kneeling position onto his side. 'Make it stop. Make it...ugh...'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ryou heard it. "Oh no." Ryou heard it and Ryou frikkin ran. "This can't be happening." He flies down the block, heart racing like it's about to explode. 'Don't do this to me...don't let it be...' He skids to a halt behind the four officers, who were currently in a state of panic. He peeks around them. There was a body on the floor...and something on it was white...
'No!' Ryou shoves past them. "Move it!" He runs to the familiar stranger, tears starting to form in his chocolate eyes. "What did you do to him!?" He screams.
"He was gonna shoot!"
"With what?!" He whips around. "He's unarmed you DOLT!"
"He r-r-reached into his p-pockets..."
"Is that your excuse!?" He snatches the rocks from his coat and holds them up. "You mean these?!"
"B-but--"
"Like these can really do any damage!!" He throws them at the sputtering cop to make his point.
"Ow..."
He pulls the thief into his lap. There was a lot of blood. "Are you...are you o..oka..." He chokes on the word. How could they do this? "Say something, please..." He tilts his head back and represses a small gasp. He was bleeding from the mouth. "Oh God..."
Tears fall from his fair face, mixing with the ones already streaming down Bakura's. His snowy hair sticks to his cheeks, giving him the appearance of somebody who's been in the rain. "Don't..." He draws in a shuddering breath. "Please don't die..."
The injured teen cracks open his eyes. Why was his other half here? It wasn't safe. 'Get out...' Even the voice in his head was weak. "...H...hikari..." He rasps through bloodied teeth.
"What?" he breathes. There it was again. Light...what did he mean?
His eyes close again, his breathing becoming shallow. "H...h...ngh.."
"No!" He clutches onto him, crying hard. "DAMNIT!" He turns his head towards the shocked policeman. "What are you waiting for?!" They blink. "CALL THE FUCKING AMBULANCE!!"
"Y-yeah!" The near-retiring officer slaps his partner upside the head. "Call 'em!"
"W-w-w-what was the number again?" He shakily retrieves his walky-talky.
"WHAT?!"
"Wait, I got it!" He punches in the three life-saving numbers. "Yes, this is Officer Pete Burnings, we've had an accident..."
The other cops smack their foreheads.
"...yes, right away, we're at the old jewelry store down Murve Street. Bullet in the stomach. ...we don't know."
Ryou faintly hears the information being spoken. "...in the stomach?" He sniffles and quickly takes off his school jacket. "Hey, you!" He yells over his shoulder. "Give me your flashlight!"
"W-what?"
"Do it!"
"Eep!" He tosses him the bulky device. "S-sorry..."
He frantically rips the already-torn cloth in two, shoving a piece in his mouth and putting the other half aside. He lifts the boy's shirt over his head, grimacing at all the red. "It has to come out." He clenches his teeth and narrows his eyes. "I can't believe I'm doing this..." Without so much as a warning, he thrusts his fingers into the open wound.
Bakura's eyes and mouth fly open, but his throat's too hoarse to scream. "Hugh...uhg..." His breath comes in short, painful gasps as the fingers delve deeper and he breaks into a fresh set of tears. "Sss-ss-stt--sto..." His eyes squeeze shut again. This was worse than anything he could remember.
"I'm sorry," Ryou's tears continue to fall. "Hold on..." He stops moving his fingers, pinches something between them, and carefully removes his hand from his stomach. "There!" He throws the bullet behind is back without a second thought and grabs the discarded shirt. "I've got to stop the bleeding." He shakes Bakura by the shoulder. "Wake up, you've got to wake up!"
His eyes slide open.
"Can you move?" He bundles up the cloth and holds it at the wound, pushing it just a little on the inside. "Hold this."
Bakura lets out a strange sob and presses the garment to his stomach.
"Okay..." He wipes his face with a dirty sleeve, smearing blood over his nose. "Here." He pulls him into a semi-sitting position and wraps the remaining material around his middle to cut off the circulation. Bakura's muscles begin to quiver and he shakes uncontrollably. "Stay with me, please..." He cradles him in his arms and wipes the sweaty hair out of his face, trying to calm the spasm. "Please..."
The cops stand nearby, shocked and horrified. Ambulance sirens blare down the street.
"I didn't mean to do it..."
A team of rescuers hop out of the vehicle and rush in with their equipment. Ryou looks up as they hurriedly steal his body and place him on the stretcher. Commands are shouted and they take him back to the van, putting him on oxygen and some pain-killing drugs.
Ryou runs after them, tearfully asking if he can ride with him.
"Do you know this kid?"
He nods, quickly making up a story. "He's an exch-change student. I don't know where his ID is. Please let me come..."
They give him a quick nod in return and help him into the back.
Bakura lies in the middle, groaning fitfully. "Is he gonna be alright?"
"We can't be sure as of yet. It all depends on him once we get to the hospital."
He runs a shaking hand through his damp hair. "W-what do you think?"
"It's hard to say, but...did you do that?"
"Mm-hm."
"You really should leave that stuff to the doctors."
"I didn't make it worse, d-did I?"
He chuckles softly. "As long as the bullet's still not in there, he's better off than he would've been."
He gives a heavy sigh of relief. "Good then..."
They reach the hospital shortly, giving him a thumbs-up and sending the wounded boy inside. Ryou follows after them, only to be taken quite forcibly into a bathroom to wash up and then into a waiting room, wrapped in a small blanket. "Stay here until they're done," the nurse orders him.
He does as told, watching the clock intently. He just wanted to go over there and spin the hands around...which way, he didn't know. Backwards, he could've tried to stop him from running off. Forwards, he wouldn't have to endure the torture of wondering if he was alive or dead. He pulls the blanket around him tighter and squeezes his eyes shut. The anticipation was killing him.
A little while later, another nurse came and woke him. He had fallen asleep with his head in his hands. The tears had dried, but his eyes never ceased watering. "How long was I out?"
She smiles. "Only an hour or two. Thought you could use the rest."
He blinks a few times before standing up. "How is he?"
"The bullet didn't hit any organs, and thanks to you, he's hasn't got any serious lead poisoning." She winks at him. "Nice job."
He blushes slightly. "Oh. He was bleeding from the mouth, so I just..."
"What, that little thing?" She laughs lightly. "He just bit his tongue. Canines are pretty sharp, too. It's not everyday you get shot." She points over to an intensive-care room. "He's sleeping right now, but you can go see him if you want."
He nods, feeling numb despite the good news. Not to mention a little embarrassed. He freaked out over a little thing like that? 'How was I supposed to know? He looked like he was in a lot of pain...' He slaps himself again. 'Lung, Ryou. Not stomach. And I guess I'd act like that too if I was shot.'
He hesitates at the door. What if he woke up? What would he say? He opens it with a sigh. Did it really matter?
Bakura was in bed, still asleep. The white blankets matched his hair, bringing the word 'winter' to mind. Like a child in the snow. Shining innocence.
Pure.
He brings a chair to the side of the bed and sits, looking at the neatly folded clothes and IV nearby. They were at the jewelry store, so he had probably stolen something. He checks the pockets. Empty.
Well good. Maybe they could strike up a deal; they wouldn't file charges against him for burglary and he wouldn't file charges against them for attempted murder. Fair enough, right? Besides, he didn't think he could handle any legal bullshit right now. And that's not including what his parents would think...
Tears threaten to spill over again. He just needed a little time to sort things out, that's all. He was tired, hungry, hurt, confused...he would deal with everything else later. He just needed time, just a little more time...
He sniffles and takes the resting boy's hand into his own. It was surprisingly warm. His were freezing in comparison. He cries silently, not wanting to wake him. Why was he still feeling this way? They said he was fine. But still...
Could it be guilt? No. He had felt guilty before. It was nothing like what he felt now. This was something deeper...something more...
Love.
'What?' He shakes his head at the thought. He had just met him. And how should he know what love feels like?
It's true. He clutches his head. 'Shut-up.' It couldn't be...love. Of any kind. It just wasn't possible. Yes, he did feel a strange sort of connection with him, but...
"This is stupid." He chokes. "Just...stop it. You're doing it again."
But it's not like last time, is it?
"...no. I guess not."
Of course it isn't. She was just a stupid girl you tutored. She didn't like you. You know she didn't. You thought she cared about you, but she didn't. You thought you were helping someone for once, that someone might actually need you, but you were sadly mistaken. No one needs you. Not that slut, not your friends, not even him. So don't trick yourself into believing you're in love. Not again.
"Shut-up..." he cries harder.
Don't push me away. And don't forget who needs who. You need me. Don't forget.
"Go away..." he lowers his head, trying to be quiet. "Why can't you just leave me alone?"
But you are alone.
He clenches his teeth together. 'I know...I'm all alone. No one needs me...and no one cares...' The tears stop coming. 'I really am worthless.' He shuts his eyes, slipping deeper and deeper into his depression.
"Let me die."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
He woke up sometime later. The ground was cold, the hospital room was gone, and he wasn't feeling much better. What now?
He stands up reluctantly and takes a few steps forward, squinting his eyes. Where was he? Not that he cared. Heh. Maybe he was dead. Finally.
'I'm not dead.' He argues with himself. 'How could I be dead?'
Lots of ways. You smothered yourself with the blankets, choked on some spit, had a stress-related heart attack, or, more importantly, were strangled to death by that nice fellow on the bed...
'I would have woke up.'
Maybe you did. But you're dead now, so it doesn't really matter.
"I'm not dead!"
Yes you aaarrreee...
"Shut the hell up!" He shouts into nothingness.
Have it your way then.
Everything becomes silent. He looks around, seeing no sign of...well, anything. He keeps walking. Maybe he'd find something...
"Blank...everything's blank...why is everything blank?"
'That's him.' He peers in the direction the voice came from. 'But where?' He follows the sound a little ways ahead. "...hm?"
There he was, sitting with his back against some undefined object, his arms resting on his knees, his head looking down.
"Hey." Ryou approaches on light feet. "Are you alright?"
A loud hissing noise comes from the dark figure, making him jump. His surroundings waver and translucent red hands reach for him before dissipating.
Ryou swallows a lump in his throat. That was...odd. "Hey," he drops to his knees in front of him. "You don't have to do that, ya know."
Bakura raises his head and glares. Him again? Had he come for revenge? Had he come to mock him in this weakened state?
"Bakura, isn't it?"
He loses the glare. It didn't surprise him he had figured it out, but the smile he wore was unnerving. "...yes."
He hadn't told him his name, but something just screamed it at him. Not that it mattered, but...
He abruptly pulls him into an embrace.
He doesn't need you Ryou!
He just smiles.
'What's he...what's he doing?'
"It's okay now..."
'Why is he doing that?' Bakura stays perfectly still, not accepting or rejecting the hug. 'Is he so naïve?'
Ryou subconsciously slides his hand under his shirt and rubs his back soothingly. "It's okay..." He stops. What was that he felt?
"Get off of me." Bakura quickly shoves him away, pressing himself further against the wall.
"Wait, what was that?"
"It's none of your concern."
He didn't want to push him, but... "...was it a scar?"
He wasn't going to tell him. He didn't want him tainted. He would stay as he saw fit.
So he just glared some more.
"...alright," Ryou sighs. "But...what happened? Earlier, I mean? Why did we...separate?"
He laughs darkly. "Is that all?"
"...yes."
He 'hms' contentedly before replying. "You got angry. The emotion severed me from you. Guess you didn't want me anymore." He waits for his face to change. Did he look...hopeful?
"But you got hurt afterwards."
Oh, that's what it was. "Don't act like I did it to...protect you." He nearly spat the word.
His face fell.
'Don't look so sad, Ryou. Were you expecting otherwise?' He asks himself.
"...come here." Bakura turns him around and pulls him to his chest in another awkward embrace. It wasn't out of affection, but he did feel the need to comfort his distressed mind. "Go to sleep."
Ryou grows a deep shade of crimson. "Okay."
Bakura sighs. "You're tense."
"S-sorry."
"I'm not going to hurt you."
Ryou was doubtful. Instinct told him he was in danger. And who said he wasn't lying? He remembered what had happened with the Ring. It still stung.
Bakura curses under his breath. He didn't want to say this... "Trust me."
Ryou smiles and snuggles back against him. "You too."
"Huh?"
He looks up cutely. "Go to sleep."
That was sounding good right about now. "I might." He wraps his arms around him so they meet on his stomach and lets his head fall onto his, too exhausted to object to his own actions.
Ryou blushes at all the contact. At least he was a little more relaxed now. He closes his eyes, listening to the older boy's breathing in his ears, and drifts off into a stress-free sleep. What a night.
At that moment, the nurse from earlier walks by their room and smiles. They were both asleep, holding hands. "So cute." She giggles to herself and continues making her rounds throughout the hospital, thinking about the two white-haired angels. "I love happy endings."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: Awww! *shrieks* They cuddled!
Bakura: You disgust me.
^^ Feel the love.
Bakura: You're delusional.
Ryou: *blushing like an idiot* Um...
Bakura: What?
Ryou: It's nothing...
Bakura: *rolls eyes*
Yay! In case you're confused, Ryou fell asleep in his room and they were touching and the Ring took him into 'Kura's soul room and when 'Kura saw him, his defenses went up, but Ryou's a persistent little shit and then there was FLUFF!!
Bakura: That was unintentional. I just wanted him to stop worrying. I can feel his anxiety and I don't particularly like it. You just...took it the wrong way.
*wink* Suuuure. Whatever you say.
Bakura: Someone shoot me.
Ah yes. Ryou got a little depressed because his conscious *cough* was being an asshole.
*snicker* Ryou said the F-word! *happy dance*
And Bakura cried! *snigger*
Bakura: I was SHOT you idiot!
So?
Bakura: ...I'm going to kill you.
^^ Haaa. It's all about the love.
Next chapter should be up fairly soon since I've got an idea of what's gonna happen. Yes, it switches back to Joey and Seto. Rejoice!
Remember to review or I'll cry! ;.;